Fat Bear Week 2023 Returns to Celebrate Alaska's Bulking Bears

Vote for your favorite chonky bear! This event isn't just about size – it's about survival and conservation.

, and ASMedia

2025 October 1 . 8:26 PM

1 min read

This image consists of a bear. It is in brown color. At the bottom, there is ground. On which we... — This image consists of a bear. It is in brown color. At the bottom, there is ground. On which we can see the snow. On the right, there are stems of a plants.

Fat Bear Week 2023 Returns to Celebrate Alaska's Bulking Bears

Fat Bear Week, an annual online event hosted by Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, is back. This competition celebrates the impressive bulking up of coastal brown bears, with some individuals reaching staggering weights of over 650 kg.

The event, which began in 2014, has grown into a global phenomenon among bear enthusiasts. It's more than just a weigh-in; voters consider the life histories of the contenders, reflecting the harsh realities of their environment and the competition for resources and mating success.

Bears in Alaska and Scandinavia can gain more than 2 kg per day during their bulking period, known as hyperphagia. They seek out the fattest, sweetest, and most protein-rich foods to prepare for their long seasonal slumber. During hibernation, pregnant female bears give birth, lactate, and rear cubs, conserving energy during harsh weather and food scarcity.

Fat Bear Week serves a dual purpose: it educates about the ecosystem and habitat of the over 2,000 brown bears in the Katmai region, and it raises awareness about their conservation. Bears are paired in single elimination match-ups, with people voting for the bear that 'exemplifies fatness and success'. The event has been held for eleven years, with the first competition occurring around 2013, and continues to foster public engagement with wildlife and support habitat protection.